Naidu mulls free smartphones for BPL families

In the wake of troubles being faced by common man after demonetisation if Rs 500 and Rs 1000 notes, AP chief minister Chandrababu Naidu is con templating giving smart phones to below poverty line (BPL) families in the state. Naidu wants to achieve twin objectives with this: One is to enable the poor people to get used to cashless and digital transactions and the other to overcome the shortage of low denomination notes.

Naidu directed his officials to prepare a blueprint to launch the programme immediately. The total requirement could be 60-70 lakh mobiles, a senior official said. Popular brands like Celkon, Micromax and Karbon have set up their plants in AP, officials hope it won't be a problem for the government to procure mobile phones in bulk at a reasonable price.

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